Reading group will examine parables of Jesus

The parables of Jesus will be explored during the Classics in Religion Reading Group’s October program at Kingston Library, 55 Franklin St.

The group will meet Wednesdays on Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the library’s Community Room.

The parables of Jesus represent about onethird of his teachings in the four gospels. They can appear deceptively simple, a creative and enjoyable way of teaching certain moral and religious truths. However, some parables are not easily penetrated, and much of their subtlety is lost on the modern reader unfamiliar with their cultural and religious context.

During the weekly sessions, participants will attempt to bring out the parables’ genius, helping them gain a deeper appreciation of their significances. They might recognize Jesus as a shrewd and daring communicator, a master storyteller, seeing some of the most familiar and time-honored stories in Western civilization in a new light.

Leading the series will be the Rev. James Krueger, retreat master at Mons Nubifer Sanctus in the western Catskills. He also serves as a campus minister to the State University of New York at Delhi. Diverse sources are used for the reading group. For one hour each week, a local religious leader makes selections for reading aloud and discussion.

Previous readings have included Buddhist, Jewish, Sufi, Native American, Hindu, Zoroastrian, Confucian, Taoist and Christian works, as well as texts in Existentialism, Jungianism, American Transcendentalism, Schools of Meditation, Process Theology and Pragmatism. Library resources, inexpensive editions or copies are distributed for participants. No advanced reading is required.

The public is invited to any of the sessions. The library is totally accessible.

Contact Albert R. Ahlstrom by calling (845) 334-8404 or send an email to aahlstrom@hvc.rr.com for more information.